Program Description
The Master of Arts in History is a 30-credit hour program that offers both seated and online options. Online students can complete this program entirely through courses offered in the asynchronous modality and are not required to travel to campus.
Admission Requirements
Undergraduate Degree Requirements
All applicants must hold an undergraduate degree to begin graduate studies. Applicants who have not yet completed their undergraduate degrees but are projected to have done so by the beginning of the semester they intend to commence their graduate studies are considered. However, offers made in such cases are contingent upon graduation before entry into the program. Applicants who have been admitted to the program but are subsequently unable to complete their undergraduate degree before the beginning of the semester for which they have been admitted, may not begin graduate studies.
GPA and History Requirements
All applicants must meet the minimum GPA of the Graduate College (2.75 on a 4.00 scale) in their undergraduate degree (or most recent graduate degree if they hold one) to be considered for admission. Meeting the minimum standards does not guarantee admission. Candidates with a GPA of 3.00 and above are generally preferred.
Applicants with at least 24 credit hours of undergraduate history are preferred. However, applicants with a background in associated fields from the social sciences, humanities, and/or education are also considered. In addition, the Department of History welcomes applicants from certified in-service teachers and other professionals with relevant experience.
Potential applicants who do not meet these criteria are encouraged to contact the Graduate Program Director. It is possible to make up for any deficits in either course work or GPA requirements as a non-degree seeking student.
How to Apply
All applications and supporting material must be submitted online through GradCAS. GradCAS is a third-party software used by Missouri State University to process graduate applications. Any questions regarding GradCAS should be directed to Graduate Admissions.
The Department of History can only consider completed applications submitted through GradCAS, with the exception of applicants to the Accelerated Master’s program.
Applicants to the Master of Arts in History may add the Graduate Certificate in World History and/or Graduate Certificate in United States History to their program of study as part of the application. No separate application is required.
Required Supporting Materials
To be considered for admission to the Master of Arts in History, applicants must submit the following supporting materials through GradCAS:
- Up-to-date Curriculum Vitae: including information on the applicant’s educational background.
- Transcripts: Copy of each college transcript where a degree was earned or is pending. For the application process, applicants may submit unofficial copies of their transcript(s) to GradCAS. Those admitted to the Master of Arts in History are required to provide an official copy of their transcript(s) showing completion of the bachelor’s degree to the Graduate College.
- Writing: Writing sample of approximately 2,000 words. It is recommended, although not required, that this writing sample is a piece of academic writing (preferably from the discipline of history), such as an essay or an excerpt from a longer work (such as a capstone project or thesis). For applicants who do not have a sample of their academic writing, a piece of professional writing that the applicant feels accurately reflects their abilities may be submitted instead.
Other Supporting Materials. The following supporting materials are optional:
- Statement of Purpose: A short statement of purpose explaining the applicant’s goals in seeking admission to the Master of Arts in History.
- Letters of Recommendation: Applicants may submit up to five letters of recommendation. Applicants should request Letters of Recommendation through GradCAS. This will send a link directly to the letter writer’s email inbox, allowing them to upload their letter of recommendation directly to the applicant’s file.
- Teaching Certification: The Department of History is committed to supporting in-service teachers in their professional development. Applicants with a teaching certificate in social studies from a US state or territory may submit a copy of their certification as part of their application.
Applications for Graduate Assistantships
The Department of History offers a limited number of full-time Graduate Assistantships. Graduate Assistants receive a tuition fee waiver scholarship and a stipend for living expenses.
Eligibility
To be eligible to hold a Graduate Assistantship in the Department of History, applicants must:
- Possess an undergraduate GPA of 3. 00 or above.
- Be a Missouri Resident.
The Department of History generally offers Graduate Assistantships beginning in the Fall Semester, although occasionally Graduate Assistantships beginning in the Spring semester are available.
Applicants who wish to be considered for a full-time Graduate Assistantship position in the Department of History should submit the following supporting materials to GradCAS as part of their application:
- A Statement of Purpose
- Application for Graduate Assistantship form.
- At least two Letters of Recommendation.
Please note that Missouri State University offers Graduate Assistantships in other offices and departments of the university . The application processes for these positions are separate from the Department of History Graduate Assistantships process.
International Students
International students must demonstrate proficiency in English. Please visit International Student Services for more information.
Application Review and Admissions Process
The Department of History accepts applications to the Master of Arts in History on a rolling basis. However, applicants should be aware of the important dates pertaining to the Application Review and Admission process. This includes information regarding when applications are considered and offers are made as well as important deadlines for those seeking to apply for scholarships and/or graduate assistantships.
Dates
Summer and Fall Semester Admissions
The following information is relevant to applicants seeking admission to the Master of Arts in History program in EITHER the Summer OR Fall Semester.
First date of consideration (February 1). The first date of consideration for admission into the program in either the Summer or Fall Semester is February 1. All applications received by February 1 for admission into the program in the following Summer or Fall semesters will be reviewed with offers being made in the first week of February.
Applicants seeking to apply for scholarships should ensure that they apply by the first date of consideration (February 1).
Second Date of Consideration (March 1). The second date of consideration for admission into the program in either the Summer or the Fall Semester is March 1. All applications received after February 1 and before March 1 for admission into the program in the following Summer or Fall Semester will be reviewed with offers being made in the first week of March.
Students seeking a Graduate Assistantship should apply by the second date of consideration at the latest (March 1).
Late Applications (April 15 onwards). All applications received after March 1 for admission into the program in the following Summer or Fall Semester will be reviewed on a rolling basis from April 15 until all places in the program are filled. Late applications received after all places in the program have been filled will automatically be rolled over to the following Spring’s application pool.
Spring Semester Admissions
The following information is relevant to applicants seeking admission to the Master of Arts in History program in the Spring Semester.
First date of consideration (September 1). The first date of consideration for admission into the program in the Spring Semester is September 1. All applications received by September 1 for admission into the program in the following Spring semester will be reviewed with offers being made in the first week of September.
Applicants seeking to apply for scholarships should ensure that they apply by the first date of consideration (September 1).
Second Date of Consideration (October 1). The second date of consideration for admission into the program in the Spring Semester is October 1. All applications received after September 1 and before October 1 for admission into the program in the following Spring Semester will be reviewed with offers being made in the first week of October.
Students seeking a Graduate Assistantship should apply by the second date of consideration at the latest (October 1).
Late Applications (November 15 onwards). All applications received after October 1 for admission into the program in the following Spring Semester will be reviewed on a rolling basis from November 15 until all places in the program are filled. Late applications received after all places in the program have been filled will automatically be rolled over to the following Summer’s application pool.
Notification of Application Status
Applicants who submit completed applications by either the first or second date of consideration will be notified as to the status of their application within 7 working days of the days of the relevant date. Complete late applications will be considered on a rolling basis. However, generally, applicants will be notified as to the status of their application within approximately 14 working days of submission.
Please note, that while the Department of History encourages prospective students to apply as early as possible, applications will only be reviewed as part of the relevant application pool. For example, an application for application for entry into the program in the Summer Semester received in September will not be reviewed until the first date of consideration for Summer and Fall Admissions (February 1).
Method of Notification
Applicants will be notified as to the status of their application via email. Successful applicants will receive emails pertaining to their offer from both the Graduate College and the Department of History. Unsuccessful applicants will be notified by the Graduate College.
Please be aware that occasionally emails from the university are directed to the applicant’s spam folder. Applicants who do not hear from the university as to the status of their application when they expect to are encouraged to check their spam folder before contacting Graduate Admissions .
Accelerated Master’s Degree Option
Eligible undergraduate students may apply for provisional entry into the Master of Arts in History program as part of the Accelerated Master’s program. This program is open to Missouri State University undergraduate students majoring in History (BA, BS, and BSED) and Global Studies (BA). It is also open to students studying toward a minor in History, Asian Studies, African-American Studies, and Ozarks Studies.
Accelerated Master’s student may take up to 9 credit hours of graduate-level history courses, counting these credits towards their undergraduate degree. Upon graduation, Accelerated Master’s students are automatically admitted to the Master of Arts in History with any graduate-level history credits earned while the student was an undergraduate also counting towards their graduate degree. This allows exceptional students to complete both their undergraduate and graduate degrees in 5 years (10 semesters).
Admission Requirements for the Accelerated Master’s Degree Option
To be considered for entry into the Accelerated Master’s program applicants must:
- Be of Junior standing.
- Possess an overall GPA of 3.25 with a GPA in their major of 3.40.
- Have completed 15 credit hours of undergraduate history courses, including at least one course at the 300-level or above.
Application Materials
Applications to the Accelerated Master’s program must include the following supporting materials.
- Letter of interest
- Resume
- Unofficial transcript
Application materials must be submitted through the Accelerated Grad Application, found on the Graduate College Admissions card available through the Missouri State portal. Applications are on a rolling basis.
Total Hours for MA Degree - 30
The Master of Arts in History is a 30-credit-hour program. It offers three tracks of study - the United States History Track, the World History Track, and the United States and World History Track - in addition to Thesis Option and Non-Thesis Options.
Program Requirements
To satisfy these 30 credit hours, all students must complete the following program requirements:
- Graduate History Core Curriculum (12 credit hours)
- Track Electives (12 credit hours)
- EITHER the Non-Thesis Option (6 credit hours of Open Electives) OR Thesis Option (6 credit hours of HST 799)
All students must obtain a B grade or above in each of the courses required as part of the 12-credit-hour Graduate History Core Curriculum as determined by their track of study. Under no circumstances may a grade B- or below count towards the Graduate History Core Curriculum requirements. In addition, under no circumstances may a grade of below a C- count toward any of the program requirements.
Graduate courses in history are offered at the 600 and 700 levels. All students must complete at least 15 credit hours at the 700 level.
Non-Thesis Option and Thesis Option
Students do not have to declare whether they intend to complete the Non-Thesis Option or Thesis Option immediately upon entry into the program. However, students who wish to complete the Thesis Option must ensure that appropriate supervision for their project is available within the department. The Department of History cannot guarantee thesis supervision to all students.
Non-HST Courses
With the permission of the Graduate Program Director, students may count up to 9 credit hours of non-HST courses towards the requirements of the Master of Arts in History.
Graduation Requirements
To graduate with a Master of Arts in History, all students (Non-Thesis Option and Thesis Option) must:
- Complete all program requirements within 24 semesters (8 calendar years)
- Maintain an overall GPA of 3. 0 or above.
- Pass a Comprehensive Examination.
- Apply for Graduation.
- In addition to the above requirements, all Thesis Option students must pass an oral defense of their thesis (Oral Thesis Defense Examination). Upon successfully passing their Oral Thesis Defense Examination, a copy of the thesis must be submitted to the Graduate College.
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